Since launching in 2021, The MLC has focused on empowering rightsholders with unprecedented transparency, powerful tools, education-focused outreach, and responsive service. As a result, we now have more than 100,000 Members and more than 60 million works in our publicly available database. In addition, more than 20,000 creators, representatives, and industry professionals have connected with us through the Songwriter Hub.
This focus, along with our Members playing their part, has delivered real results. The MLC has processed over $5 billion in royalties. Our current average match rate for the royalties we have processed to date is over 92 percent. Moreover, fewer than 5 percent of the remaining unmatched sound recording resources have accrued more than $1 in royalties across all periods, and of the over 95 percent that have accrued less than $1, their average cumulative value is only between 5 and 6 cents each.
The metrics for our 2021 usage are even more positive. Our current average match rate for all 2021 usage is now 94 percent. Moreover, only a small fraction of the sound recording resources reported in 2021 that remain unmatched — and a similarly small fraction of unclaimed shares of works — have accrued over $100 in cumulative royalties from 2021 usage.
As we continue our matching and outreach efforts, we expect these metrics will continue to improve. Still, with our metrics showing that the incremental improvements are diminishing over time, we are mindful that Congress did not intend for The MLC to hold onto remaining unmatched and unclaimed royalties indefinitely. The planned period for matching and distributing royalties from 2021 will span six years. This is twice as long as the three-year holding period the law mandates.
